What Should You Send Me Before I Help You Narrow Interlakes Listings?
A lot of buyers think they need to have everything figured out before they reach out.
You don’t.
Honestly, most people call or message when they’re somewhere in the middle. They’ve looked at enough listings to feel interested, but not enough clarity to feel confident. Everything is starting to blur together a bit, and they’re tired of trying to sort it out alone.
That’s normal.
I’m Amanda Oldfield, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty serving the Interlakes and 100 Mile House area, and a big part of what I do is help buyers narrow the search before they waste time on the wrong properties. If you want help sorting out which Interlakes listings are actually worth paying attention to, here’s what I’d want you to send me first.
Start with your top few listings
You do not need to send me twenty.
Please don’t send me twenty.
Send me your best few. Usually three to five is plenty.
That gives me enough to see what you’re being pulled toward without turning it into a giant sorting project right away. It also tells me a lot about what you think you want, even if you’re not fully clear on it yet.
Sometimes buyers send me three listings and I can already see the pattern. Sometimes I can also see why they’re stuck.
That’s helpful.
Tell me how you actually want to use the property
This is the part that matters most.
Not just “we want land” or “we want something by a lake.”
I want to know what you’re picturing in real life.
Are you looking for:
a place to camp now and build later
easier family weekends
room for a trailer
more privacy
something near Bridge Lake, Sheridan Lake, or Deka Lake
a future retirement move
a recreational base that still makes sense long term
That helps me filter the listings through real-life use, not just listing photos.
Because a property that looks good online can still be the wrong fit for how you actually want to spend time there.
Tell me where you’re coming from
This matters more than people think.
If you’re coming from the Lower Mainland, Kamloops, Prince George, or somewhere else out of town, that changes the conversation a bit. Distance affects how often you’ll use the property, how much hassle you’ll tolerate, and what kind of setup will still feel worth it later.
A place that works well for someone local may not feel as practical for someone driving in for weekends.
That does not make one better or worse. It just affects fit.
Tell me your rough budget, not your dream budget
I don’t need your life story or a formal mortgage file.
I just need a realistic range.
That helps me narrow properly and keeps us from spending time on listings that either stretch too far or make you compromise harder than you actually want to.
And just to be clear, I’m not using that number to push you higher. I’m using it to help you compare smarter.
Tell me what keeps catching your eye
This is a really good one.
Maybe you keep saving listings with lots of trees.
Maybe everything near Deka Lake catches your attention.
Maybe you keep leaning toward larger lots.
Maybe you’re clearly drawn to places that feel more private.
Maybe you keep picking listings with room for family and trailers.
That tells me a lot.
Sometimes what buyers keep choosing is exactly what they need.
Sometimes it’s just the part of the listing that’s doing the heaviest lifting.
Either way, it helps.
Tell me what you’re worried about
This is worth saying out loud.
A lot of buyers are not just looking for help with listings. They’re looking for help with the part that feels uncertain.
Maybe you’re worried about:
buying the wrong property
wasting a trip
overpaying
access
whether the land is actually usable
whether the future build idea really makes sense
whether you’re getting pulled in by photos
That’s all useful information.
You do not need to sound polished. You just need to be honest about what feels fuzzy.
You do not need to send me a perfect brief
This is where people overthink it.
You do not need to make a fancy spreadsheet.
You do not need to write me a formal summary.
You do not need to “know the right questions.”
Send me:
the top few listings
how you want to use the property
your rough budget
where you’re coming from
what you’re trying to avoid
That’s enough to start.
From there, I can usually help you narrow what matters, what doesn’t, and which listings actually deserve more of your attention.
A simple example
Let’s say a couple from Langley sends me four listings.
One near Bridge Lake.
One near Sheridan Lake.
One near Deka Lake.
One farther back with more acreage.
They tell me they want something they can camp on now, maybe build on later, and use with family a few times a month in the warmer seasons. They want privacy, but not something so awkward that every trip feels like work. Budget matters, and they don’t want to waste a whole summer chasing the wrong ones.
That’s enough for a very useful conversation.
Now we’re not just looking at random properties. We’re looking at fit.
That changes everything.
What this helps me do for you
Once I have that info, I can help you sort out things like:
which listings really fit your goals
which ones are probably carrying too much weight from the photos
where the tradeoffs are
which properties are worth a drive
which ones are better left as “interesting” and nothing more
That’s where buyers usually start feeling less scattered.
And honestly, less scattered is a very good place to be before you start making bigger decisions.
Common mistakes buyers make
Sending too many listings at once
That usually creates more noise than clarity.
Only sending listings and no context
The listing alone does not tell me what you need it to do.
Staying too vague about the goal
“Something in Interlakes” is usually too broad to be helpful.
Waiting until they feel totally ready
Most people don’t. That’s okay.
Final thoughts
You do not need to know everything before you ask for help narrowing the search.
You just need enough to start the right conversation.
If you’ve got a few Interlakes listings saved and want help sorting out which ones are actually worth your time, send them to me. I’m happy to take a look and help you narrow things down before it gets more complicated than it needs to be.
Amanda Oldfield
Amanda Oldfield Realtor - eXp Realty
96 Hwy 97, 100 Mile House, BC
250-318-5202
